EUROPEAN.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 85, 17 January 1885, Page 3

EUROPEAN.

London, January 6. The Press are unanimous in condemning the action of Earl Derby, but the majority of the newspapers refer in favourable terms to the action of New South Wales over the annexation. The " Daily News " says that the Hon. J. Service's despatch to the AgentGeneral was incautious and hasty; the "Daily Chronicle" expresses the opinion that if the Australian colonies are resolute it will be impossible for Germany to maintain her claim to a portion of iNew Guinea. The "Spectator" approves of the cession of the New Hebrides to France, provided the Recidivistes Bill is withdrawn. The " Standard " insists that the negotiations between the British and German Governments with reference to Pacific annexation should be published. The members of the Cabinet have been specially summoned, at the request of Earl Derby, to consider the whole question of annexation in the Pacific. The "Times" this morning states that the Cabinet is undecided and divided in its opinion with respect to the question of the French and Gerrnnn annexation in the Pacific. The same paper states that if Parliament were sitting a vote of censure would probably be passed on Government on the annexation question, and advises Earl Derby to resign his position as Colonial Secretary. The "Daily Telegraph" says that the report as to negotiations between the British and French Governments for the cession «f New Hebrides is unfounded, and that France does not intend to inteifere with the New Hebrides. Both the " Pall Mall Gazetto" and the "Morning Post" protest against the cession of the Mew Hebrides to France. Prince Bismarck is reported to be favourable to the suggested exchange oy the British Government of Heligoland to Germany for New Guinea. ■

Loxdox, January 7. Lord Derby has written a ve'-y severe despatch to the German Government in connection with New Guinea. It is currently repoi'ted here that English detectives have discovered the head-quarters of a secret society of dynamiters at Pennsylvania, United States, and proofs that the i % eeent explosions in England were plotted by the members of that society.^) Loxdox, January S. Prince Albert Victor, eldest son of the Prince of Wales attained his majority to-day. The festivities incidental to the occasion were conducted privately. Mr Thomas A. Welton, the official assignee in the Oriental Bank Corporation Estate, anticipates that he will probably be able to realise two and a half million pounds, and that a dividend will be declared directly certificates of claims are granted by the Court The National Bank of New Zealand has declared a dividend for the past half-year at the rate of 5 ppr cent, per annum. Mr Archibald Watson, the Senior Demonstrator of Anatomy at Charing Cross Hospital, will sail for Australia by the steamer Pekin on the 29th. London, January S. — An application has been made to the Home Secretary praying for the release of Captain Dudley, and Stephens, the mate of the Mignonette, who were recently sentenced to six months for the murder of Parker, After due consider ation, it was decided not to interfere with the sentence. The London Chamber of Commerce are drafting a petition for presentation to the Government, urging upon them thenecessity for Imperial federation, and the desirability of increased emigration to the colonies. The Oriental Bank have purchased the •assets of the old company, comprising a million and a-half pounds' worth of shares, and three-quarters of a million debentures, -which were acquired altogether for one million nine hundied thousand pounds. The assets are valued at two millions and a-half, with the benefit of a full call being made on the shares. The Agents-General of the various colonies decided not to congratulate Prince Albert Victor on the attainment of his majority. The Colonial Office authorities consider it impossible that France will now seize the New Hebrides group.

London, January 9.—Gi'eat rejoicings were held to day at Sandringham, the seat of the Prince of Wale?, to celebrate the coming of age of Prince Albert Victor. Several congratulatory addresses were presented to His Pvoyal Highness. The alleged discovery of a secret society -of dynamiters at Pennsylvania is not generally believed here. Tenders for the New Zealand loan of one million at four per cent, were opened today. There were seven hundred and forty tenders, covering three millions nine hundred and eighty one thousand pounds. Tenders at ninety-nine pounds six shillings and six-pence will receive thirty per cent., and those above that amount in full. London, January 10.—M. De Verniac, reporter of the Committee of the French Senate appointed to examine the Kecidiviste Bill, has submitted the eecond report of the Committee. In the opinion of the Committee, New Caledonia would be quite unable to absorb the number of recidivistes that would require to be deported, and Cayenne was unsuitable for such a purpose. As in the previous report, the Committee have left the question of places to which convicts shall be relegated optional with the Government. It is probable that the Bill will be pas&ed without opposition. In commenting on the present position of the recidiviste bill the "Times "to day foslieves that the measure will ultimately pass, but that it will practically i*emain a dead letter. Fearing competition, Prince Bismarck has refused to disclose or indicate the future colonial policy of Germany. Earl Grey has suggested to Lord Derby the advisability of referring all important questions respecting annexation to a coun .cil selected from the various Agentsgeneral for the colonies. JLord Derby refuses to sanction the annexation of Samoa by New Zealand. London, January 11.—Lord Derby is not in favour of annexing Samoa as proposed by NZ. Government. A telegram from Berlin states that in well-informed circles there it is generally believed that both Germany and the United States protest against the annexation of Samoa by Great Britain. The Leichardt (New South Wales) Municipal Loan of £16,000 has been privately .■absorbed. The Queensland gun-boat Paluruh has arrived at Gibralta. yictoria has declined to accept the'offer <of 19a itt the £ in satisfaction of their •claims against the Oriental Bank estate. It is estimated that the first call in the estate will realise three quarters of a million. Rumours are current in financial circles that a huge French Loan is likely to be placed in the market. Prince Bismarck instanced the action of New Zealand in regard to the proper annexation of Samoa, as a proof of the delay .on the part of Germany which was n&amaging to her interests. He also men-

lioned that a report was current that the natives of New Guinea were opposing the German occupation, and implying that such was due to English incitement. The report has caused some sensation amongst the Berlin papers. London, January 12. — A re-examination of tho cargo of frozen moat ex Dorundi shows a portion to be bad, owing to premature freezing. Mustapha Pasha Fehmi is about to visit London. The " Standard " to-day publishes a telegram from Egypt announcing that Mustapha Pasha Femhi demands the sorvicos of a small force of Turkish troops to garrison Cairo, in conjunction with the British troops now ing duty there. London', January 12. — General Lewall, French Minister of War, has issued instructions that the French troops are to expel all Chinese from Tonquin, and that, after doing this, decisive attacks will be made on China. Tho " Daily News " is of opinion that it would be to tho benefit of the Empire to concede to the demands contained in Mr Service's letter on Imperial Federation. Tho English Government have refused to allow New Zealand to annex Samoa, England and Germany having agreed to maintain tho freedom of Samoa and Tonga. England also permits France to have a quarterly tenure of the island of Kaiatea. Tho "Standard " publishes articles today stating that negotiations are proceeding between the British and German Governments regarding tho Navigator Islands with a view to arrange matters on such a basis that neither power shall assume a protectorate over Samoa. Prince Bismarck states that it is understood that neither England nor Germany will alter the present status of Samoa without agreement. He disclaimed tho idea that any attempt on the part of England to depart from this understanding would lead to war. lie was confiJent that any difficulty that might ariso would be settled with goodwill and diplomacy. The London pre&s generally docs not support the proposed annexation of Samoa by New Zealand.

Londox, January 13. — The death is announced ot Mr Patrick J. Smyth, M.P. tor Tipperary. Hongkong, January 12. —Telegrams have been received here announcing that a serious anti-French agitation has been fomented in Cambodia, and that the inhabitants are displaying great hostility, A body of Fiench troops have been despatched from Saigon, th 6 capital of Cochin China, to quell the disturbance and restore order.

Paris, January 10. In the supplementary report on the Keci-divi-to Bill the Committee of the Senato admits that New Caledonia is glutted \sith convicts and considers the transportation of further shipments to Noumea undesirable. Bkrlix, January 10. — A lengthy and animated debate occurred in Keichstag, &c, in Committee on the bill for subsidizing certain lines of mail steamship to Australia and the East, and, despite the efforts of the Government, a sub-committeo was apointed to consider the details of the scheme. ISews from the West African Coast states that the war vessels Olga and Bismaick recently landed marines on the Cameroon's Coast, and severely punished the natives who have rebelled against German rule. Kelief crews for the Imperial war vessels have arrived here from England. Rome, January S. — The Italian Government has decided to garrison its station at, As;ab, Ked Sea.

Caibo, January 7. Three thousand Arabs are now entrenched at El Metammeh, near Shendy, on the left bank of the Nile. Lord Wolseley has telegraphed from Korti, announcing that Colonel Sir H. Sterwart, with a cavalry convoy, starts for El Metammeh on Thursday next. It is expected that El Metammeh will be reached and occupied on the 15th instant, and, if a steamer is available there, regular communication with General Gordon will be opened forthwith.

Cairo, January 8. — Telegrams from Korti state that the Black Watch (lat Battalion Royal Highlanders)havearrivedat Korti, and proceed to Merauk to-morrow. The latest telegrams from Korti state that Colonel Sir Herbert Stewart started to-day for Gakdul, with the 19th Hussars, and a camel corps of the Sussex Regiment and Naval Brigade. At Gakdul tho Sussex Regiment will remain to hold the position and protect the wells. The Guards, who are now at Gakdul, will join the other troops under Colonel Stewart, and his force will proceed to El Mattameh, as previously arranged.

Cairo, January 11. A telegram has been received from Lord Wolseley announcing that a messenger who left Khartoum on December 28 states that the troops at Khartoum are in good health, and that the steamers are keeping the city amply supplied with lood. Washington, Jan. 9.— The foreign committee of the Senate has reported in favour of ratifying the treaty with Nicaragua for establishing a control over the Panama Canal, notwithstandingthe objections which have been made thereto by the British Government.

New York, January 10. A serious affray occurred to-day at O'Donovan Rossa's office in this city. It appears that an Irishman, a member of the Invincible party, was invited into Rossa's office, and while there was set upon and stabbed to death by other members of the Society. The crime, it is stated, was committed on account of the murdered man having divulged the secret plans of the Society. O'Donovan Rossa disavows all complicity in the affair.

New York, January 12.— The victim of the Invincible outrage at O'Donovan Rossa's office was not killed by his assailants, and although his wounds are serious, his recovery is expected. The man is of Irish extraction, and his name is Phelan. Capetown, January 9th.— The s.s. Aorangi with New Zealand mails, dated London, December 20, sailed for New Zealand to-day.